Distilling apparatus.



A No. 731,799. PATENTED JUNE 23, 1303. w. E. LUMMUS. W DISTILLINGAPPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1901.

4 sums-3mm 1. $21

PATENTED JUNE 23, 1903. W. B. LUMMUS. DISTILLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1901.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

NO MODEL.

No. 731,799. PATENTED JUNE 23, 1903.

W. E. LUMMUS.

DISTILLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1901.

N0 MODEL.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- b W. B. LUMMUS.

DISTILLING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1,1901.

PATE NTBD JUNE 23, 1903. 7

N0 MODEL.

4 SHEETSBEBE'T 4- I no. 731,799.

Patented June 23, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER E. LUMMUS, IOF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

DISTILLING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 731,799, dated June 23,1903.

Application filed August 1,1901. SerialNo. 70,494. (No model.)

lates consisting, first, of the most volatile ingredient, followed bythe remaining ingredicuts in the order, of their boiling-points orvolatility.

My inventioirconsists of certain novel featureshereinafter described,and particularly pointed out in the claims.

. In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a constructionembodying my invention, Figure 1 is a general view of a still and acondenser with my improved rectifying-column partlyin section. Fig. 2'isan enlarged trans verse longitdiunal sectional view of two chambers ofarectifying-column. Fig. 3 is an elevation of one chamber, taken atright angles to the construction shown in Fig. 2 and with the shellremoved. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the floor of one of the chambers. Fig.5 is a detail view of the diaphragm forming the floor of each chamber.Fig. 6 is a side elevation taken at right angles to the end elevationshown in Fig. 1. Fig. '7 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 6, partlyin section, indicating the course of the condensing medium. Fig. Sis asectional view taken on the line 8 8, Fig.

7, to show the arrangement of the condensingcoils.

Like letters of reference referto like parts throughout the severalviews.

The liquor to be separated is vaporized in the still A, from which thevapors pass by the pipe B to the bottom of the square column 0,consisting of a number of chambers D, having four side Walls D andsimilar in construction and located one over the other. The mixed vaporsenter the column 0 under the surface of the liquid E, standingonthefloor formed by the diaphragm D oij each chamber D and cause it toboil and distil oft vapor, which passes around the diaphragm F, thenaround the pipes G,and thence around the diaphragm F into the chamber F,then up through the staggered boiling-caps E of the diaphragm D andbelow the surface of the liquid E in the next chamber D, where it boilsthe liquid in that chamber. This process is repeated in each chamber Das the vapors ascend the column. The alternate distillation andcondensation combined with the diminishing heat permits only the mostylolatilepor-tions to survive tl1 e a s g ent thevapor from the topclfai'nber pa'ssing thrd'figh the pipe J to the condenser K, whence itpasses through the usual tail-box K and is collected in suitablereceivers. In each chamber D, the leastvolatile vapors condense andoverflow the down-pipes I-I, carried on the diaphragm D and flow acrossthe diaphragms F F and fall into the liquid of the next lower chamber atthe point of infall L for redistillation. The boiling-caps E, as shownin Fig. 4, are staggered, so as to produce uniform boiling of theseliquids or discards, which travel across the boiling area to thedown-pipes 1-1. The downpipes ll are located on the opposite side ofeach chamber from the infall L, so as to cause thediscards to traversethe boiling area before they are permitted to overflow to the next lowerchamber. The overflow or discard from the bottom chamber returns to thestill by the pipe B. The coolinghliqpid from the condenser K or othersuitable source passing throughthe pipe K enters the header 9 andtraverses the pipesG inthe topchamber of the column 0 and tlfen passesthrough another header 9 into the pipe G, connected to a header g, andthen through the pipes G of the next lower chamber, and so on,descending through all the headers and pipes in the column to the outletG where the flow is controlled by the valve G*. This liquid descendingthe column through the pipes G always moves in a general directionopposite to that of the ascending vapor, and, as the temperature ishighest in the bottom chamber, the liquid which leaves each chamber atits hottest point enters the next lower and warmer chamber at itscoolest point, and is therefore constantly encountering hotter vapor andabsorbing more heat from the vapors in contact with the outside of thepipes G, which are the conductors for the condensing medium and arearranged in inclined rows, as shown, and act as deflectors to theascending vapors. This absorption of heat effects a fractionalcondensation of the least-volatile vapors, which fall in a spray on thediaphragms F F and joining the discard from the down-pipes H are sweptdown into the next lower chamber to be redistilled. The pipes G arearranged in staggered rows, as shown, in order to secure increased anduniform effect, and by dividing the liquid along a number of parallelpipes, as shown, greater surface is offered to passing vapors forcondensation. The pipes G, leading from one chamber to another, arearranged so that the inlet and outlet are on opposite sides of thechambers D, (see Figs. 3 and 6,) so as to introduce the cooling liquidflowing from the hottest end of the higher chamber to the coolest end ofthe next lower chamber, the sections to this end being arranged so thatthe unlike ends come one over the other. The extension F of thediaphragm F when charged with liquid prevents the vapors from passing upthrough the down-pipes H, as the liquid forms a seal against the vaporswhich collect in the chamber F and which are thus compelled to pass upthrough the boiling-caps E and into the liquid E on the floor of thechamber above. The diaphragms F F serve as conductors to deliver thediscards from the higher chamber and condensed vapors from the pipes Gto the boiling liquid in the bottom of each chamber, and they also formdiaphragms on which the discards and condensed vapors are spread out inthin layers exposed to the action of the ascending hot vapors, which bythe arrangement of the diaphragms F F are made to take a zigzag coursefrom the bottom of each chamber up and around the pipes Jr and then upinto the chamber F This construction of a column composed of a series ofchambers suitably bolted together permits of the extension ofthe,apparatus by the addition of more chambers and also permits of easytransportation and erection,and the rectangular form of the saidchambers secures uniform action of the liquids and vapors upon oneanother. The diaphragm D is made separate from each chamber and isinserted in place, as shown in Fig. 2, and this arrangement providessimplicity of construction and also permits easy access to the interiorfor inspection and repairs. The diaphragm D is made separate from thewall or shell of each chamber and assembled between contiguous sectionsand fastened to flanges of the adjacent sections by bolts or clamps, andthe removal of these bolts or clamps permits of opening or sliding outany section for cleansing or repairs, and these diaphragms are notintegral parts of the separate sections. In each chamber D fractionaldistillation takes place in the bottom of each chamber, where the liquidE is boiling, and fractional condensation takes place between thediaphragm s F F where the vapors come in contact with the pipes G. Thespace above the diaphragm F forms a chamber F in which the vaporscollect and pass up through the staggered boiling-caps E.

The apparatus above described is especially applicable to thedistillation of grain or ethyl alcohol, which has a boilingpoil-i't'when'ab:i

solutely pure of 169 Fahrenheit. This apparatus is designed to producealcohol of high purity from a liquid containing about fifty per cent.alcohol and fifty per cent. water at the start, which liquid is placedin the still to which the column is connected. This mixture boils atabout 190 Fahrenheit. The vapor of this liquid when boiled in the stillcontains a mixture of water and alcohol in which the alcohol morelargely predominates, and is led to the bottom chamber of therectifyingcolumn, where it partly condenses, filling that chamber to thelevel of the overflow-pipes. From the construction as shown it isobvious that when the boiling-caps E are submerged no vapor can passthrough this column without bubbling up through the liquid E,surrounding said caps, As this liquid is slightly stronger of alcoholthan the vapor, the latent heat of the vapor causes the liquid to boilgently and distil off avapor composed of a mixture of alcohol and waterin which the alcohol predominates to a still greater extent. The samevapor entering the next higher chamber at first condenses against thecold walls and coils until the boiling-caps in the second chamber aresubmerged, and the same cycle of operations takes place until all thechambers are filled or charged. Thenceforward until the distillation iscomplete or until no more alcohol remains in the still the opera tion iscontinuous. The vapors arising from the still are constantly growingweaker as the solution becomes attenuated. The discarded or condensedliquids are led back from the lower chamber of the column to the bottomof the still to be further distilled. The progress of the operationdepends upon the fact that each distillation produces a vapor in whichthe more volatile compound is stronger than in the preceding operation,or,in other words, each distillation produces a stronger vapor until thedesired concentration is achieved.

Among the substances which may be distilled in this apparatus are methylalcohol, ethylalcohol, coal-tar naphthas, creosote, essential oils ofall kinds,turpentine,petroleum, coahtar, wood-tar, gas liquid, andammonia.

I do not limit myself to the arrangement and construction shown, as thesame may be varied without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described the nature of my invention and set forth aconstruction embodying the same, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In an apparatus of the character described, a still, arectifying-column for rcceiving the vapors from said still andconsisting of a series of communicating chambers, ,di ar saidchambers,'conductors in said chambers for the condensing medium andagainst which the said ascending vapors impinge as they travel in adirection opposite to the flow of the condensing medium thereby causingfractional condensation, means for causing the condensing medium to flowthrough said chambers in a direction opposite to the travel of theascending vapors, means for connecting the conductors in the adjacentchambers .to allow the condensing medium to iiow from one chamber toanother, and a condenser into which the ascending vapors pass from saidrectifying-column.- v

2. In an apparatusof the character described, a still, arectifying-column for receiving thevapors from said still and consistingof a series of communicating chambers, diaphragms in said chambers fordirecting the flow of the ascending vapors and on which the descendingcondensed vapors and discards flow exposed to said ascending vapors,means 3,

in said chambers for causing distillation of p the ascendingvapors byadmitting the ascending vapors below the surface of the liquid in saidchambers, conductors located between said diaphragms for the condensingmedium and against which the ascending vapors impinge as they travel ina direction opposite to the flow of the condensing medium therebycausing fractional condensation, means for causing the condensing mediumto flow through said chambers in a direction opposite to the travel ofthe ascending vapors,

means for connecting the conductors in the adjacent chambers to allowthe condensing medium to flow from one chamber to another, and acondenser into which the ascending vapors pass from saidrectifying-column.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a still, arectifying-column for receiving the vapors from said still andconsisting of a series of communicating chambers, diaphragms in saidchambers for directing the flow ofthe ascending vapors and on which thedescending condensed vapors and discards flow exposed to said ascendingvapors, means in said chambers for causing distillation of the ascend ing vapors by adlmittin g the ascending vapors below the surface of theliquid in.

said chambers, conductors in said chambers for the condensing medium andagainst which the said ascending vapors impinge as they travel in ahorizontal direction opposite to the flow of thecondensing mediumthereby causing fractional condensation, means for causing thecondensing medium to flow through said chambers in a direction oppositeto the travel of the ascending vapors, means for connecting theconductors in the adjacent chambers to allow the condensing mediu-m toflow from one chamber to another, and a condenser into which theascending vapors pass from said rectifying-column.

' 4:. In an apparatus of the character described, a still, arectifying-column for receiving the vapors from said still andconsisting of a series of communicating chambers, diaphragms in saidchambers for directing the flow of the ascending vapors and on which thedescending condensed vapors and discards flow exposed to said ascendingvapors, means in said chambers for causing distillation of the ascendingvapors by admitting the ascending vapors below the surface of the liquidin said chambers, conductors located between said diaphragms for thecondensing medium and against which the said ascending vapors impinge asthey travel in a horizontal direction opposite to the flow of thecondensing medium thereby causing fractional condensation, means forcausing the condensing medium to flow through said chambers in adirection opposite to the travel of the ascending vapors, means forconnecting the conductors in the adjacent chambers to allow thecondensing medium to flow from one chamber to another, and a condenserinto which the ascending vapors pass from said rectifying-column.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a still, arectifying-0011111111 for receiving the vapors from said still andconsisting of a series of communicating chambers, diaphragms in saidchambers for directing the flow of the ascending vapors and onwhich thedescending condensed vapors and discards flow exposed to said ascendingvapors, means in said chambers for causing distillation of the ascendingvapors by admitting the ascending vapors below the surface of the liquidin said chambers, conductors in said chambers for the condensing mediumand against which said ascending vapors impinge as they travel in adirection opposite to the flow of the condensing medium thereby causingfractional condensation, means for causing the condensing medium to flowthrough said chambers in a direction opposite to the travel of theascending vapors, means for connecting the conductors at the hottestportion of one chamber with the conductors at the coolcstiportion of thenext lower chamber to allow the condensing medium to pass from onechamber to another, and a condenser into which the ascending vapors passfrom said rectifying-column.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a still, arectifying-column for receiving the vapors from said still andconsisting of a series of communicating chambers, diaphragms in saidchambers for directing the flow of the ascending vapors and 011 whichthe descending condensed vapors and discards flow exposed to saidascending vapors, means in said chambers for causing distillation of theascending vapors by admitting the ascending vapors below the surface ofthe liquid in said chambers, conductors located betweensaid diaphragmsfor the condensing medium and against which the said ascending vaporsimpinge as they travel in a direction opposite to to the travel of theascending vapors, means for connecting the conductors at the hottestportion of one chamber with the conductors at the coolest portion of thenext lower chamber to allow the condensing medium to pass from onechamber to another, and a condenser into which the ascending vapors passfrom said rectifying-column.

'7. I11 an apparatus of the character described, a still, arectifying-column for receiving the vapors from said still andconsisting of a series of communicating chambers, diaphragms in saidchambers for directing the flow of the ascending vapors and on which thedescending condensed vapors and discards flow exposed to said ascendingvapors, means in said chambers for causing distillation of the ascendingvapors by admitting the ascending vapors below the surface of the liquidin said thereby causing chambers, conductors in said chambers arrangedin inclined rows for the condensing medium and against which the saidascending vapors impinge as they travel in a direction opposite to theflow of the condensing medium fractional condensation, means for causingthe condensing medium to flow through said chambers in a directionopposite to the travel of the ascending vapors, means for connecting theconductors in the adjacent chambers to allow the condensing medium toflow from one chamber to another, and a-condenser into which theascending vapors pass from said rectifying-column.

S. In an apparatus of the character described, a still, arectifying-column for receiving the vapors from said still andconsisting of a series ofcommunicating chambers, diaphragms in saidchambers for directing the flow of the ascending vapors and on which thedescending condensed vapors and discards flow exposed to said ascendingvapors, means in said chambers for causing distillation of the ascendingvapors by admitting the ascending vapors below the surface of the liquidin said chambers, conductors arranged 1n inclined rows for thecondensing medium and located between said diaphragms and against whichconductors the said ascending vapors impinge as they travel in adirection opposite to the flow of the condensing medium therebycausscribed, astill, a rectifying-column for receiv ing the vapors fromsaid still and consisting of a series of communicating chambers,boiling-caps in the bottom of said chambers through which the ascendingvapors pass below the surface of the liquid, down-pipes communicatingwith said chambers and through which the condensed vapors and discardspass downwardly and adapted to maintain the level of the liquids on thebottom of each chamber above the outlet of the boiling-caps whereby theascending vapors pass through said liquid and distillation takes place,means for preventing the ascending vapors from passing through saiddown-pipes, diaphragms in said chambers for directing the flow of theascending vapors and on which the descending condensed vapors anddiscards flow exposed to said ascending vapors, conductors in saidchambers through which the condensing medium flows and against whichsaid vapors impinge as they travel in a direction opposite to the flowof the condensing medium thereby causing fractional condensation, meansfor causing the condensing medium to flow through said chambers in adirection opposite to the travel of the ascending vapors, means forsupplying cooling liquid to said conductors to cause fractionalcondensation of the ascending vapors, means for connecting theconductors at the hottest portion of one chamber with the conductors atthe coolest portion of the next lower chamber, and a condenser intowhich the ascending vapors pass from said rectifying-column.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, a still, arectifying-column for receiving the vapors from said still andconsisting of a series of communicating chambers, boiling caps in thebottom of said chambers through which the ascending vapors pass belowthe surface of the liquid, down-pipes communicating with said chambersand through which the condensed vapors and discardspass downwardly andlocated on opposite side from the discard -inlet and adapted to maintainthe level of the liquids on the bottom of said chambers above the outletof the boiling-capswhereby the ascending vapors pass through said'liquid and distillation takes place, means for preventing the ascendingvapors from passing through said down-pipes, diaphragms in said chambersfor directing the flow of the ascending vapors and on which thedescending condensed vapors and discards flow exposed to said ascendingvapors, conductors through which the condensing medium flows and locatedbetween said diaphragms and against which conductors the said ascendingvapors impinge as they travel in a direction opposite to the flow of thecondensing medium whereby fractional condensation takes place, means forcausing the condensing medium to flow through said chambers in adirection opposite to the travel of the ascending vapors, an inlet andan outlet to and from said conductors on opposite sides of saidchambers, means for supplying cooling liquid to said condenser to causefractional condensation of the ascending vapors, means for connectingthe conductors at the hottest portion of one chamber with the conductorsat the coolest portion of the next lower chamber, and a condenser intowhich the ascending vapors pass from said rectifying-column.

11. In an apparatus of the character d escribed, a still, arectifying-column for receiving the vapors from said still andconsisting of a series of communicating chambers, boilingcaps in thebottom of said chambers through which the ascending vapors pass belowthe surface of the liquid, down-pipes communicating with said chambersand through wh ich the condensed vapors and discards pass I downwardlyand located on the opposite side from the discard-inlet and adapted tomaintain thelevelof the liquids on the bottom of said chambers above theoutlet of the boiling-caps whereby the ascending vapors pass through,said liquid and distillation takes place, means for preventing theascending vapors'from passing through said down-pipes, diaphragms insaid chambers for directing the flow of the ascending vapors in a zigzagcourse and on which the descending condensed vapors and discards flow ina zigzag course exposed to said ascending vapors, conductors throughwhich the condensing medium flows and located between said diaphragmsand against which conductors the said ascending vapors impinge as theytravel in a direction opposite to the flow of the condensing mediumthereby causing fractional condensation, means for causing the condensingmedi um to flow through said chambers in a direction opposite to thetravel of the ascending vapors, an inlet and an outlet to and fro1n saidconductors on opposite sides of said chambers, means for supplyingcooling liquid to said condenser to cause fractional condensation of theascending vapors, means for connecting the conductors at the hottestportion of one chamher with the conductors at the coolest portion of thenext lower chamber, and a condenser into which the ascending vapors passfrom said rectifying-column. V

12. In an apparatus of the character described,a still, arectifying-column for receiving the vapors from said still andconsisting of a series of communicating chambers,means in said chambersfor causing distillation of the ascending vapors by admitting theascending vapors below the surface of the liquid in said chambers,conductors in said chambers for the condensing medium and against whichthe ascending vapors impinge as they travel in a direction opposite tothe flow of the condensing medium thereby causing fractionalcondensation, means for causing the condensing mediumto flow throughsaid chambers in a direction opposite to the travel. of the ascendingvapors, means for connecting the conductors in the adjacent chambers toallow the condensing medium to flow from one chamber to another, and acondenser into which the ascending vapors pass from saidrectifyingcolumn.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, a still,arectifying-column for receiving the vapors from said still andconsisting of a series of communicating chambers,means in said chambersfor causing distillation of the ascending vapors by admitting theascending vapors below the surface of the liquid in said chambers,conductors in said chambers for the condensing medium and against whichthe ascending vapors impinge as they travel in a direction opposite tothe flow of the condensing medium thereby causing fractionalcondensation, means for causing the condensing medium to flow throughsaid chambers in a direction opposite to the travel of the ascendingvapors, and a condenser into which the ascending vapors pass from saidrectifying-column.

14. In an apparatus of the character described,a still, arectifying-column for receiving the vapors from said still andconsisting of a series of communicating chambers, dia phragms in saidchambers for directing the flow of the ascending vapors and on which thedescending condensed vapors and discards flow exposed to said ascendingvapors, means in said chambers for causing distillation of the ascendingvapors by admitting the ascending vapors below the surface of the liquidin said chambers, conductors in said chambers for the condensing mediumand against which the said ascending vapors impinge as they travel in adirection opposite to the flow of the condensing medium thereby causingfractional condensation, means for causing the condensing medium to flowthrough said chambers in a direction opposite to the travel of theascending vapors, and a condenser into which the ascending vapors passfrom said rectifying column.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, a still, arectifying-column for receiv ing the vapors from said still andconsisting of a series of communicating chambers, means in said chambersfor directing the flow of the ascending vapors and on which thedescending condensed vapors and discards flow eX- posed to the saidascending vapors, means in said chambers for causing distillation of theascending vapors by admitting the ascending vapors below the surface ofthe liquid in said chambers, means in said chambers through which thecondensing medium flows in a direction opposite to the travel of thesaid ascending vapors for producing fractional condensation of theascending vapors, means for causing the condensing medium to fiowthrough said chambers in a direction opposite to the travel of theascending vapors, and a condenser into which the ascending vapors passfrom said rectifying-column.

16. In an apparatus of the character described, a still, arectifying-column for receiv ing the vapors from said still andconsisting IUU of a series of communicating chambers, means in saidchambers for directing the flow of the ascending vapors and on which thedescending condensed Vapors and discards flow exposed to the saidascending vapors, means in said chambers for causing distillation of themedium to flow through said chambers in a direction opposite to thetravel of the ascending Vapors, and a condenser into which the ascendingvapors pass from said rectifyingcolumn.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 20 name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 23d day of July, A. D.1901.

ALTER E. LUBINIUS.

Vitncsses:

A. L. MESSER, O. A. STEWART.

